Is it wrong to offer milk to Shiv ling?

Is it wrong to offer milk to Shiv ling? Many feel so, specially the youth. Even I agree to it. They say it's better to offer the milk to a poor rather than pouring it on a stone. But I've barely seen anyone supporter of this, offering even an ounce of milk to a poor on the day of Maha Shivratri(or any day for that matters).

image source: kblog

Let's do an analysis of the same. One thing we all are aware of is that, in ancient times(or even now) many things are associated with religion to make people follow it without questioning. So, why is offering the milk associated with religion? Answer is very simple, Business ecosystem.

If someone buys milk and flowers from the guy at the temple-stairs. The guy in turn either bought it from someone else or have his own tree(s) and cow(s). What he sells will be 60:40 (or 70:30) water-to-milk ratio, making a good profit, may be enough to feed his family at night.

image source: martineliew

A devotee pours the milk and flowers on Shiv ling and it has to be cleaned regularly, which in turn requires a cleaning boy. Well he wasn't able to get a spot at the stair, or didn't have enough money to start his own milk-flower venture, so he went for smaller endeavour. And he occasionally gets a few extra coins offered on Shiv ling while doing this, enough to buy few vegetables so that he won't have to eat again without it.

image source: sid-thewanderer

A bigger picture: It's a way (perhaps the only way) for some places to run their business ecosystem, like Baidyanath Temple, Bihar. Just to pour the milk on Shiv ling lacks of people visit Baidyanath temple, Kashi Vishwanath temple, etc, boosting tourism in the area leading to opportunities like hotels, road trips (private buses) leading to jobs for drivers and bus-boy, etc.

Writing this article doesn't mean I'm encouraging anyone to pour the milk on a stone. But every time such occasions come, you can pledge to donate to a poor family or a girl child's education or a child's food.

Places where I wasn't asked my Religion or Caste

India: unity in diversity. Yet, we see people fighting and killing each other over religion, burning houses over caste, beating to death over racial-disputes.

We often see people being discriminated on these grounds everywhere in India. But I've been to places where I wasn't asked for my religion or caste. 

Mahima Ministries, Hyderabad

One day, my friend Sasi asked me if I wanted to visit the kids (of an orphanage). I thought why not, it's going to be a new experience. I grabbed my badminton rackets, roller skates and monopoly board game as my friend told me we will be spending our times with them by playing and/or teaching. 

When we reached there, we were greeted by 6-7 kids and were addressed as brother. They were going for football and invited us too to play with them. 

While they were busy playing football, my mind was crowding with thoughts. They didn't care what is the caste/religion of other kids or mine. Isn't this the perfect example of brotherhood, sharing with everyone, caring for everyone? Their world is so different and harmless compared to ours. They were happy. Sometimes, there was a language barrier, but they all understood the word: brother.

 

At last, we took a photo (selfie to be precise) which captured the smiles which were there from the time when we arrived, during we were playing and till we parted. I left my stuff with them as those were more useful to them. If you are in Hyderabad, you can visit them, play with them and can share a smile with them.

Mother's Nest, Hyderabad

Again, One day my friend Vaibhow asked me, if I wanted to visit an old-age home. I thought why not (lets get blessed, funny?). Our group of 7-8 friends bought eatable and juice to share with the elders.

When we arrived there, we were greeted by the care taker of the small house. Then we got to meet the elders (all ladies), where we were addressed by son and daughter.

We introduces ourselves and one of the ladies started calling me Gautam (as Gautam Buddha is also known as Siddharth Gautam). And soon we started talking if we have known each others for long. We talked, we sang, we danced, we made fun (among friends) of each other and the elder also took part :D

 

Vaibhow and the lady, who was calling me Gautam, teamed up against another friend. At last, we left with their blessings and unforgettable smiles. Again, my mind was full of thoughts. There was no discrimination among them, based on anything. They didn't ask us to which religion did we belong.

What I actually saw at these places was, unity in diversity, no religion, no caste, no discrimination. They showed love to me, by calling me their brother and son.

PS: you can visit both the websites and make donations as all things (good or bad) require money to function.